After the NFL Lockout was finally lifted the Green Bay Packers cut five veterans: Nick Barnett (MLB), Brandon Chillar (MLB), Justin Harrell (DL), Brady Poppinga (OLB), and Mark Tauscher (T). Besides Chillar, the rest of the guys cut never played for another NFL franchise but unfortunately father time or injuries caught up with all of them.
Chillar (recently injured), Harrell (perpetually hurt), and Tauscher (old and injured) have not signed with another team yet while the other guys signed with different NFL teams:
- Nick Barnett signed a three-year, $11.5 million contract ($1.5 million signing bonus) with the Buffalo Bills.
- Brady Poppinga signed a one-year, $685,000 veteran minimum contract with the St. Louis Rams.
All of the players cut by the Packers allowed them to trim roughly $15.4 million off their 2011 salary cap* with roughly $2 million in "dead money" hitting their salary cap in 2012 thanks NFL accounting rules. For how sad it is to see all of the veterans go, the youth movement continues in Green Bay so the cuts are understandable.
The Green Bay Packers had 11 unrestricted free agents: Atari Bigby (S), Daryn Colledge (G), Mason Crosby (K), Korey Hall (FB), Brandon Jackson (RB), Cullen Jenkins (DE), James Jones (WR), John Kuhn (FB), Anthony Smith (S), Jason Spitz (G), and Matt Wilhelm (LB) once the lockout was lifted. Predictably Green Bay Packer general manager Ted Thompson let most of those guys leave via free agency without even offering them a legitimate contract offer:
- Daryn Colledge signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract ($7.5 million signing bonus) with the Arizona Cardinals.
- Korey Hall signed a two-year, $2.1 million ($400,000 signing bonus) contract with the New Orleans Saints.
- Brandon Jackson signed a two-year, $4.5 million ($1 million signing bonus) contract with the Cleveland Browns.
- Cullen Jenkins signed a five-year, $25 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Jason Spitz signed a three-year, $5.25 million contract ($750,000 signing bonus) with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Anthony Smith signed a contract for an undisclosed amount with the Tennessee Titans.
Of the guys that the Packer decided not to resign, Jenkins is the only guy that I would have tried to resign if I was general manager Ted Thompson. The Eagles will only pay Jenkins $4 million in 2011 and have an out where they can terminate the contract with very small cap ramifications if Jenkins struggles in 2011 according to various reports. At that price, especially with the question marks along the defensive line for the Packers, Jenkins should have been resigned. Besides Jenkins the Packers have younger, better, and cheaper options than the guys they let leave via free agency.
With eight of the 11 unrestricted free agents signing elsewhere or remaining free agents** that means that the Packers only resigned three of their 11 unrestricted free agents:
- Mason Crosby signed a five-year, $14.75 million contract with a $3 million signing bonus.
- James Jones signed a three-year, $9.5 million contract with a $1.5 million signing bonus.
- John Kuhn signed a three-year, $7.5 million contract with a $750,000 signing bonus.
Crosby signed one of the richest contracts ever given to an NFL kicker, which feels a little expensive based on Crosby being merely an average NFL kicker. Jones resigning with the Packers shows that general managers around the league are either think that Jones was a product of playing in one of the most potent offenses in the NFL or they think Jones will continue to drop passes in important situations. Either way the Packers were able to resign Jones at a reasonable price to give the 2011 Green Bay Packers the most prolific wide receiving core in the NFL heading into the 2011 NFL preseason. The Kuhn deal makes the most sense of three contracts because it gives the Packers hybrid running back, fullback, and special teams player that fits perfectly on the team.
There were some other minor contracts signed in the last week*** that barely deserve a mention. The free agency period for the Green Bay Packers proceeded exactly how most people thought it would, older guys were cut or let go via free agency while younger guys (besides Crosby) were retained at a reasonable price. Check back for more Green Bay Packers coverage as the preseason kicks into high gear.
Footnote:
* = Barnett ($5 million), Tauscher ($4.5 million), Poppinga ($2.3 million), Chillar ($2.3 million), and Harrell ($1.3 million).
** = Atari Bigby and Matt Wilhelm remain unsigned.
*** = Restricted free agents Brett Swain (WR) and Spencer Havner (TE/LB) resigned with the Packers but look like prime candidates to get cut at the end of training camp while former Packer Donald Lee (TE) signed a one-year, $850,000 contract ($40,000 signing bonus) with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Showing posts with label Justin Harrell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Justin Harrell. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Adios Brian Brohm...
Brian Brohm went back to Louisville for his senior season instead of entering the 2007 NFL Draft. Most draft experts disagreed with the decision at the time and their displeasure was validated by how Brohm's senior season at Louisville played out.
In fairness to Brohm, Lousiville lost their head coach and noted offensive genius Bobby Petrino to the Atlanta Falcons (all the more reason to enter the draft though Brohm). Instead of ending up as a potential top 10 pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, Brohm slipped all the way to the end of the 2nd round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
In Brohm's first training camp with the Green Bay Packers he lost the back-up quarterback job to Matt Flynn, a 7th round draft pick from the same draft. Brohm was so bad in his second training camp with the Packers (when he wore a glove as if that would improve things) that they waived Brohm at the end of the preseason, essentially giving up on a second round draft pick after little less than a year.
Even worse for Brohm, no team claimed him so he signed with the Packers' practice squad. Brohm's Packer career came to an end this week when he signed a two year contract with the rebuilding Buffalo Bills. The Packers offered a similar two year contract but Brohm elected to join the Bills given their unrest at quarterback.
This all begs the question: is Justin Harrell or Brian Brohm the biggest draft bust of the Ted Thompson era?
Justin Harrell Draft:
#16 - Green Bay Packers - Justin Harrell (DT): only appeared in 3 games during his senior season at Tennessee because of torn bicep...seems like a red flag when drafting a player #16 overall right? Harrell appeared in 13 games for the Packers over two seasons, starting only 2 contests. The Packers placed Harrell on injured reserve at the end of the 2009 training camp.
#17 - Denver Broncos - Jarvis Moss (DE): appeared in 21 games, starting only 1 contest. Unfortunately for the Broncos, Moss has been almost as disappointing as Harrell.
#18 - Cincinnati Bengals - Leon Hall (CB): started 35 of 41 games. Looks like the cornerback of the future for Bengals.
#19 - Tennessee Titans - Michael Griffin (S): started 34 of 41 and made the Pro Bowl in 2008. Similar to Hall, looks like a franchise defensive back.
#20 - New York Giants - Aaron Ross (CB): has a career arc similar to Harrell/Moss as oppose to Hall/Girffin...shoot.
#21 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Reggie Nelson (S): started 37 of 38 games. Similar to Hall and Girffin, looks like a franchise defensive back.
Analysis: with all of the inconsistent and injury riddled play of Atari Bigby the past two seasons, the Packers would be ecstatic to have Griffin or Nelson. With how great Harris and Woodson have been at cornerback, they are both in their early 30s and the only other viable cornerback on the Packers' roster is Tramon Williams so the Packers would also welcome Hall with open arms. Even Moss and Ross have given their teams more production than Harrell...see how horrible of a pick that is turning out to be?
Brian Brohm Draft:
#55 - Baltimore - Ray Rice (RB): not only their starting running back but Rice looks to be the Ravens' franchise running back. Along with Michael Oher getting picked a few spots ahead of Clay Matthew in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Ravens drafted two franchise players just ahead of the Packers in the last two drafts.
#56 - Green Bay Packers - Brian Brohm (QB): do I have to bash him anymore?
#57 - Miami Dolphins - Chad Henne (QB): starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins...Oh Dang.
#58 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Dexter Jackson (WR): cut by the Buccaneers heading into the 2009 seasons...misery love company Brohm.
#59 - Indianapolis Colts - Mike Pollak (C): started at right guard for 20 of 25 games for the Colts.
#60 - Green Bay Packers - Patrick Lee (CB): played 5 games as a rookie but finished the 2008 season on injured reserved. Picked up where he left off in 2009 by starting the season on injured reserve with Mr. Justin Harrell.
#61 - Dallas Cowboys - Martellus Bennett (TE): a physical specimen for a tight end. The Packers snapped up a similar physical specimen at tight end in Jermichael Finley in the 3rd round so it makes missing Bennett not that big of a deal.
#62 - New England Patriots - Terrence Wheatley (CB): about as productive as Patrick Lee...obviously not a compliment.
#63 - New York Giants - Terrell Thomas (CB): started all 9 games this season for the New York Giants. Definitely an upgrade over Lee and Wheatley.
Analysis: it is fairly obvious the Packers would rather have drafted Brohm than Henne. That said, when the Packers drafted Brohm they had just given the keys to the franchise to Aaron Rodgers so why take another young QB in the second round? Why not bring in a veteran back-up quarterback? With all of the Packers' trouble on the offensive line the real miss by taking Brohm is Pollak.
Verdict: I know it is easy to look back and question draft picks. The only problem with the Harrell/Brohm picks are that they were questionable at the time. As the last few seasons played out, the picks look downright idiotic. Since Harrell has an outside chance of playing for the Packers again it makes the Brohm pick worse, but not by much. For a general manager that wants to build through the draft as opposed to free agency, missing on both Harrell and Brohm is going to plague the Packers for a number of years.
In fairness to Brohm, Lousiville lost their head coach and noted offensive genius Bobby Petrino to the Atlanta Falcons (all the more reason to enter the draft though Brohm). Instead of ending up as a potential top 10 pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, Brohm slipped all the way to the end of the 2nd round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
In Brohm's first training camp with the Green Bay Packers he lost the back-up quarterback job to Matt Flynn, a 7th round draft pick from the same draft. Brohm was so bad in his second training camp with the Packers (when he wore a glove as if that would improve things) that they waived Brohm at the end of the preseason, essentially giving up on a second round draft pick after little less than a year.
Even worse for Brohm, no team claimed him so he signed with the Packers' practice squad. Brohm's Packer career came to an end this week when he signed a two year contract with the rebuilding Buffalo Bills. The Packers offered a similar two year contract but Brohm elected to join the Bills given their unrest at quarterback.
This all begs the question: is Justin Harrell or Brian Brohm the biggest draft bust of the Ted Thompson era?
Justin Harrell Draft:
#16 - Green Bay Packers - Justin Harrell (DT): only appeared in 3 games during his senior season at Tennessee because of torn bicep...seems like a red flag when drafting a player #16 overall right? Harrell appeared in 13 games for the Packers over two seasons, starting only 2 contests. The Packers placed Harrell on injured reserve at the end of the 2009 training camp.
#17 - Denver Broncos - Jarvis Moss (DE): appeared in 21 games, starting only 1 contest. Unfortunately for the Broncos, Moss has been almost as disappointing as Harrell.
#18 - Cincinnati Bengals - Leon Hall (CB): started 35 of 41 games. Looks like the cornerback of the future for Bengals.
#19 - Tennessee Titans - Michael Griffin (S): started 34 of 41 and made the Pro Bowl in 2008. Similar to Hall, looks like a franchise defensive back.
#20 - New York Giants - Aaron Ross (CB): has a career arc similar to Harrell/Moss as oppose to Hall/Girffin...shoot.
#21 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Reggie Nelson (S): started 37 of 38 games. Similar to Hall and Girffin, looks like a franchise defensive back.
Analysis: with all of the inconsistent and injury riddled play of Atari Bigby the past two seasons, the Packers would be ecstatic to have Griffin or Nelson. With how great Harris and Woodson have been at cornerback, they are both in their early 30s and the only other viable cornerback on the Packers' roster is Tramon Williams so the Packers would also welcome Hall with open arms. Even Moss and Ross have given their teams more production than Harrell...see how horrible of a pick that is turning out to be?
Brian Brohm Draft:
#55 - Baltimore - Ray Rice (RB): not only their starting running back but Rice looks to be the Ravens' franchise running back. Along with Michael Oher getting picked a few spots ahead of Clay Matthew in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Ravens drafted two franchise players just ahead of the Packers in the last two drafts.
#56 - Green Bay Packers - Brian Brohm (QB): do I have to bash him anymore?
#57 - Miami Dolphins - Chad Henne (QB): starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins...Oh Dang.
#58 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Dexter Jackson (WR): cut by the Buccaneers heading into the 2009 seasons...misery love company Brohm.
#59 - Indianapolis Colts - Mike Pollak (C): started at right guard for 20 of 25 games for the Colts.
#60 - Green Bay Packers - Patrick Lee (CB): played 5 games as a rookie but finished the 2008 season on injured reserved. Picked up where he left off in 2009 by starting the season on injured reserve with Mr. Justin Harrell.
#61 - Dallas Cowboys - Martellus Bennett (TE): a physical specimen for a tight end. The Packers snapped up a similar physical specimen at tight end in Jermichael Finley in the 3rd round so it makes missing Bennett not that big of a deal.
#62 - New England Patriots - Terrence Wheatley (CB): about as productive as Patrick Lee...obviously not a compliment.
#63 - New York Giants - Terrell Thomas (CB): started all 9 games this season for the New York Giants. Definitely an upgrade over Lee and Wheatley.
Analysis: it is fairly obvious the Packers would rather have drafted Brohm than Henne. That said, when the Packers drafted Brohm they had just given the keys to the franchise to Aaron Rodgers so why take another young QB in the second round? Why not bring in a veteran back-up quarterback? With all of the Packers' trouble on the offensive line the real miss by taking Brohm is Pollak.
Verdict: I know it is easy to look back and question draft picks. The only problem with the Harrell/Brohm picks are that they were questionable at the time. As the last few seasons played out, the picks look downright idiotic. Since Harrell has an outside chance of playing for the Packers again it makes the Brohm pick worse, but not by much. For a general manager that wants to build through the draft as opposed to free agency, missing on both Harrell and Brohm is going to plague the Packers for a number of years.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The Biggest Surprises on the 53-Man Roster
There were a few surprises on both sides of the ball when the Green Bay Packers trimmed their roster to 53 on Saturday (source: here). The biggest shock was that the Packers cut safety Anthony Smith, one of their two off-season signings (the other, Duke Preston, was cut earlier in the pre-season). The Packers originally signed Smith as a free agent in the off-season because of his familiarity with the 3-4 defense from his time as a Pittsburgh Steeler. Packers General Manager Ted Thompson hoped Smith could use his experience to help the team transition from the 4-3 defense to the 3-4. The St. Louis Rams claimed Smith after the cut, and the Packers now lack a player who can lead the team through the changeover (source: here).
The Packers also cut veteran Ruvell Martin, one of the most liked players in the locker room. After Martin was cut, he called Brett Swain, the player the Packers kept instead of him. Martin congratulated Swain on making the 53-man roster (source: here). The Packers need the versatility that Swain provides on special teams, which lead to keeping Swain over Martin. As of Sunday, no one has claimed Martin; so if the Packers suffer an injury at the WR position, expect them to call Martin in short order.
The Packers decision to keep nine linebackers, ten if you count combo OLB/TE Spencer Havner, was another bombshell (source: here). The Packers are making the transition to the 3-4 defense, which means they will utilize more linebackers than defensive lineman but keeping 9 or 10 linebackers seems excessive. Since the Packers put defensive lineman and former first round pick Justin Harrell on injured reserve, they are rather thin on the defensive line. They might look to add depth at defensive end or defensive tackle.
Finally, on the offensive side of the ball, the Packers cut back-up quarterback Brian Brohm. Once considered a top 10 prospect, Brohm was drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Packers. In that same draft, the Packers took quarterback Matt Flynn in the seventh round. Since being drafted by the Packers, Flynn has clearly outplayed Brohm, which made Brohm expendable. Since being cut, Brohm accepted the Packers offer to sign on their practice squad (source: here).
The 53-man roster is fluid and changes week-to-week depending on injuries and other moves around the NFL. The Packers should feel confident with the talent they have assembled heading into week one of the 2009 NFL season.
The Packers also cut veteran Ruvell Martin, one of the most liked players in the locker room. After Martin was cut, he called Brett Swain, the player the Packers kept instead of him. Martin congratulated Swain on making the 53-man roster (source: here). The Packers need the versatility that Swain provides on special teams, which lead to keeping Swain over Martin. As of Sunday, no one has claimed Martin; so if the Packers suffer an injury at the WR position, expect them to call Martin in short order.
The Packers decision to keep nine linebackers, ten if you count combo OLB/TE Spencer Havner, was another bombshell (source: here). The Packers are making the transition to the 3-4 defense, which means they will utilize more linebackers than defensive lineman but keeping 9 or 10 linebackers seems excessive. Since the Packers put defensive lineman and former first round pick Justin Harrell on injured reserve, they are rather thin on the defensive line. They might look to add depth at defensive end or defensive tackle.
Finally, on the offensive side of the ball, the Packers cut back-up quarterback Brian Brohm. Once considered a top 10 prospect, Brohm was drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Packers. In that same draft, the Packers took quarterback Matt Flynn in the seventh round. Since being drafted by the Packers, Flynn has clearly outplayed Brohm, which made Brohm expendable. Since being cut, Brohm accepted the Packers offer to sign on their practice squad (source: here).
The 53-man roster is fluid and changes week-to-week depending on injuries and other moves around the NFL. The Packers should feel confident with the talent they have assembled heading into week one of the 2009 NFL season.
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